Culture, Religion, History and News

Archive for January, 2009

I had a peculiar feeling when I was watching Obama’s inauguration ceremony. My constant internal struggle was once again revived. I asked myself whether such an historic day could happen in Europe, the birthplace of democracy. Would it be possible for a British citizen of Pakistani origin, a German of Turkish parents or a French citizen of Algerian origin to be elected as the head of state? Even contemplating such a question was depressing and distressing for me.

Would it be possible in my country for a Tajik, a Hazara, an Uzbek or a Nuristani to be elected as the president of the republic? Would even the educated and enlightened vote for the best of “other” ethnic groups in Afghanistan? Amid contemplating these questions, it came to mind that it is some of these so-called educated and elites of my country who determine how I should use my native language. It pains me immensely to realize that these prejudiced forces ignore the fact that I share many ethnic, linguistic and other common characteristics with them.

The difference cannot be starker: In my country, the enlightened “other” is forced into silence, while minority Hindus and Sikhs, the original inhabitants of Afghanistan, are discriminated against. By contrast, in the United States, a competent individual, who happens to be a minority, is elevated to the highest office of the land.

Mr. President, I congratulate you and your countrymen, as well as all peace- and justice-loving people of the world, on your election. Your victory is not the pleasure of a foreign minister but the triumph of a human-rights and peace activist.

Source
Afghanistan, Kabul, Jan. 19 / Trend News, A. Hakimi/ Hindu minority groups in Kandahar have criticized the government for not improving their squalid living conditions, and they are threatening to leave Afghanistan within one week.

Ethnically, Afghanistan is the most multi ethnic country in Asia that has been facing some problems in this regard recently.

Anarkali Honaryar, the Hindus former representative in the constitutional Loya Jirga, and a human rights activist, said sadly Hindus have long faced such discriminations in Afghanistan.

She added: “We went to the government many times to discuss the issue, but the government has done nothing so far.”

Honaryar said in the past many thousands of Hindu families lived in Kandahar, Kabul, Nangarhar and Ghazni provinces, but now number is less than 5,000 Hindu families in the whole of the nation.

Hundreds of Hindu families, who had properties, lands and houses in southern Afghanistan, left the country during the civil war.

They have returned to the country now and complain their property is often illegally confiscated.

They also claim that only substandard educational facilities are made available to their children, leaving them second class citizens.

They have also complained of repeated death threats from anonymous gunmen.

It is considerable that Afghanistan at the present time is not a secure country.

Kidnapping, assassination and terror is increasing day by day, even those who are powerful according to ethnicity are not safe.

Following is the list of last names (zaat) for Kandharis, Kabulis and Hindus and Sikhs of other regions of Afghanistan. The list is not complete. If you’re an Afghan Hindu or Sikh and your last name is not listed, please contact us and we will include it in the list.